What to do???
 

Hi guys....if you look at the LE of my P51 you can see the damage from sitting for about eight years. Question is what should I do to make it better. It was an old ARF, but I don't remember what brand. It is a foam core wing?? but I don't know what it is covered with, it's not monocote and it's not fiberglass. Any ideas on what I can do to get it air worthy again? Thanks, Mike

RE: What to do???
 

Sorry I can't offer you any advice, but thats a darn cool looking plane.

RE: What to do???
 

Do the retracts work ok ? Are the wings warped ? Hows the tail ? I can't see from the photos but if you weigh the cost of repair with the cost of an ARF and then use your plane for spare parts you could save some money there.The plane does look pretty cool though.

RE: What to do???
 

From what I can see, partin out this plane would be a mistake.
It's tough to offer advice through your pics so I'll just go with saying "grab your knife and glue and start workin"
Don't be afraid of whackin on the plane a bit. Just cut the bad stuff off and glue new stuff in.

RE: What to do???
 

Sounds like alot of flying time lost to hacking.:eek:

RE: What to do???
 

Its winter time dude!

RE: What to do???
 

It's difficult to see any damage that would be severe enough to impede flight worthiness. I'd say just fly it.

If there's a chance that it has a blasa ( or any wood) leading edge, I'd make a suggestion; if you can get a small syringe (from a diabetic or....) inject soem water in a number of spot fairly close together, then heat with a covering iron. The water flashes to steam swelling the wood which removes all kinds of dents.

And wings,
It's never really winter in SC! ;)
Dennis-

RE: What to do???
 

V-max,

Yes everything works, I was just afraid the airflow would peel back the covering material on the LE that is a little damaged. The only thing that I haven't gotten to work yet is the on-board glow starter. I'm charging the battery, but since it is linked with the throttle electronically through the ignition I also need the TX to work. Unfortunately the TX battery contacts have gone bad, and I'm in the process of fixing them with someones suggestion of replacing the existing contacts with the futaba J connectors. The TX is one of the older 8 channels with the battery that has the connectors like a 9v battery. Thanks for the advice, but I don't want to buy anymore planes until I see if I can get some of the ones I already have flying. I'm working on my Tele right now also, and then it's on to the 1/3 Cub with the G62.:D

RE: What to do???
 

turtle,
Your description of the transmitter makes me believe it was manufactured prior to 1991, and that it may never have been "narrow-banded". If that's the case, the transmitter is illegal today. [:o] Chances are your recievers won't be up to snuff either.

The good news is, radio equipment has come down substantially in price over the past fifteen years. ;)

Just a heads up.
Dennis-

RE: What to do???
 

DB,

Yes I think it was made prior to 91, but it was "gold stickered" in 91. My Dad was on the ball and sent all of our TX's back to get them "narrow banded". I was afraid of the same thing but then saw the gold stickers on the back of all our Tx's. With that being said, do I still need to worry about them or the rx's???

RE: What to do???
 

I agree with Dennis, don't see any damage worth worrying about. If you're concerned about the covering pealing back, just add a little CA to the loose seams (Clean well with alcohol first).

RE: What to do???
 

I'd ca and fly it. The covering is probably a iron on of some sort that has just gotten brittle through the years. I suspect it will start to peel or break off as vibration gets to it. It should have nothing to do with the strength of the structure however. The only problem I can see with the P51 is the wrong engine in it. Here in MS it is against the law to put a 2 stroke in a War Bird.....
:D

RE: What to do???
 

I'm assuming you are joking about the 2 stroke thing....the other thing is the plane seems really heavy. It has flown in the past and flew fine, but now it seems heavy to me. I think it is a .40 size arf with an os 61 in it. Doeas that sound right??

RE: What to do???
 

Can't tell from the pictures. But if the covering is the harder plastic, with thin layer of foam under it, I wouldn't use CA on it. It will eat that foam away. There are many other types of foam safe glues out there you can use.

BC

RE: What to do???
 

BC, Thanks for the tip...yes it is some type of foam under the plastic covering. I think this is the great planes p51 arf, just an older one (like 8-10 years). Any suggestions about the glue to use??

RE: What to do???
 

I have a GP P-51 (Gunnin' for Glory), only a few years old. I had a similar problem, with the covering, I was putting it in the truck, and tore off the wing tip, and ripped the covering. I used Zaps Goop glue to fix the tear and reattach the tip. It dries clear and seals the covering. Make sure you clean up excess glue right away. And you will have a great repair. Mine flies and looks as good as new. Hope this helps.

BC

RE: What to do???
 

That's one of the old EZ P-51s. Great flyer. The covering is backed with foam. DON'T use regular CA on it - it'll eat the foam. Some oderless will work with it, some won't. Bob Smith's works, Balsa USA's eats it up.

If you're only trying to seal the gaps, I'd use clear packing tape. Clean the area first, then tape over the leading edge.

RE: What to do???
 

If the TX and RX haven't been used or checked out in 8 years... might be a good idea to have then setn in for inspection. Its well worth the $30 bench fee to be sure the thing will function.

RE: What to do???
 

Ya,

You don't want to take the chance on letting it get out of control and hurting someone. Then you will have to go to court.

RE: What to do???
 

Dennis-As long as the transmitter was narrow banded it should be okay. Be sure to replace ALL your battery packs, and do a real good range test. At the field, turn on transmitter and receiver and with the transmitter antenna collapsed, start walking away while moving the sticks. You want to get at least 75 to 100 feet away from the plane and still have good control of the surfaces, without any "jittering". It helps to have someone else there to watch the plane.

You should then start the engien and do the same test at idle, and again at high throttle. If all these range checks are okay, then I don't think you need to send the equipment in.

I would be careful if someone is on an adjacent channel though. ie. if you're on channel 34 and someone shows up on channel 33 or 35, have them turn on their transmitter and receiver and you turn your's on. There's a chance that your transmitter is slightly off frequency and may affect his equipment. There is also a chance that your receiver will react to an adjacent channel.

Just my opinion of course. ;)

Good luck and have fun!
Dennis-